Not to be confused with SEM

Like everything in this world you can ‘pay to play’ on the list of useful websites page.  If you choose this option then you’ll appear at the top of the page as an advert.

In the image above you’ll see the ads are marked with the other results below. 

Search Engine Marketing is that process of paying to appear in one of the top spots.

Now it’s a bit like eBay for search results, you’re bidding in an auction for that top slot.  We’re not going to cover the full process of SEM here because that’s an entirely other course.

It’s worth knowing that whilst the two things are different what you do to be a ‘good website’ for search engine optimisation will also help if you do choose to go down the route of paying to play.